Need to upgrade my computer(s). Currently running LR + PSE (min use) on iMac 21.5 (late 2009 model-4gb ram) and internal drive is 90% full. With new large files from 5dmarkiii (>20Mb), LR is very slow. I also have to run parallels for window based software but not simultaneous. Have MBP 13"(2009) also

Have been looking into either replacing both MBP +iMac outright or just using MBP(beefed up) + display. My main concern is parallels and LR run very slow on iMac(where all processing done) and I cant use new CF cards (udma 7) on anything I have as dont have usb 3.

Looked into docks for MBP but it appears its gonna cost quite a bit more to beef up a MBP + dock + display v. replace iMac and MBP.

So my question is there a big or minimal difference with these two different set ups in terms of speed, performance, limitations, etc? For those who have MBP + displays, what limitations, if any, have you noticed? Am I missing something here where one is clearly a no brainer?

Don't buy a new Mac without an SSD. 240GB works out well. Use an external USB drive for storage. I replaced my MBP HD with an Intel 335 SSD and the difference in battery and heat is great. Used Time Machine on an external USB drive to restore to new blank SSD.

Paul Gardner wrote:
Don't buy a new Mac without an SSD. 204GB works out well. Use an external USB drive for storage. I replaced my MBP HD with an Intel 335 SSD and the difference in battery and heat is great. Used Time Machine on an external USB drive to restore to new blank SSD.

The 15 MBP retina version does not have option of SSD. Comes with flash. The non-retina can get SSD. Is SSD better than flash?

Besides battery and heat, did you notice much speed and performance difference with Intel?

As suggested already, SSD drive is important. The Fusion (SSD hybridized with rotating drives) are also now an option, but I can't speak to their role. I'd personally not go for a SSD smaller than 500GB; I'm always regretting my 250BG choice on my 2010 MPB.

I reckon that a retina screen will be more beneficial than an SSD in a non-retina MBP. Use the thunderbolt to drive speedy external storage options, though "speedy" usually implies expensive as does "reliable".

My 17-inch MBP screen has high resolution but not as high as a retina. Unfortunately it has a problem displaying bright red tones and loses tonal detail on bright red subjects. A high-end screen fixes that but I find they have too few pixels per inch and look a bit chunky for my liking. In general, though, I recommend the 15" retina MBP with a suitable external screen over an iMac with a tiny macbook pro. 13" is just too small for me regardless of resolution.

I'm more than a bit dark on Apple's new icloud-only approach to linking my MBP with an iPod or iPad and for that reason I have put a hold on buying new Apple computers. Another reason that put me off the retina MBPs is that some of them have a ghosting problem. I forget whether the LG- or Samsung-manufactured retina screens are at fault but it is hard to know in advance which one you will get.